INVOLVE BASIC COURSE
Training Course Guide
Course Description
The INVOLVE Basic Course is an intensive five-day foundational programme. It equips participants with a structured understanding of radicalization, violent extremism, and terrorism, with a specific focus on the East African context. Participants will explore the conceptual, ideological, and operational dimensions of violent extremism from the factors that drive individuals toward radicalization to the community-based and international strategies that can be used to counter and prevent it. The course blends theoretical frameworks with practical field exposure and syndicate-based learning to foster critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to recognize early warning signs, understand misused ideological narratives, and contribute meaningfully to prevention efforts within their professional and community contexts.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Define and distinguish key terms including radicalization, extremism, violent extremism, and terrorism within both secular and religious frameworks.
- Identify and analyse the typologies of terrorism, including lone wolf actors, and understand the main recruitment strategies and ideologies employed.
- Explain the process and key drivers of radicalization into violent extremism using an analytical approach.
- Recognize and respond to violent extremist narratives, and develop evidence-based counter-narratives.
- Detect early warning signs (EWARVE) of radicalization in individuals and community settings.
- Apply community-based prevention strategies and reference relevant UN resolutions and international frameworks when addressing violent extremism.
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Module Title
Key Topics
Teaching Method
1 | Introduction to Radicalization, Extremism & Terrorism | • Definitions and distinctions: radicalization, extremism, violent extremism, terrorism • Key CVE (Countering Violent Extremism) concepts and terminologies • Misused Islamic concepts and terminologies | Lecture, group discussion, Q&A |
2 | Typology of Terrorism and Lone Wolves | • Typologies, recruitment strategies, and ideologies • Typology of terrorism and lone wolf actors • Radicalization process into violent extremism | Lecture, case studies, syndicate group work |
3 | Drivers of Radicalization – An Analytical Approach | • Push and pull drivers of radicalization into violent extremism • Violent extremist narratives and how they spread • Developing effective counter-narratives • Indicators and warning signs of violent extremism | Lecture, narrative analysis, group exercises |
4 | Identification of a Radicalized Individual – Early Warning Signs (EWARVE) | • Religious site visit – contextual field exposure • Early warning signs of radicalization and violent extremism (Part 1 & 2) • Practical application: spotting behavioural and ideological indicators | Field visit, lecture, scenario-based exercises |
5 | Violent Extremism Prevention Strategies | • Community-based prevention approaches • UN resolutions and international frameworks against violent extremism • Roles of government, civil society, and communities | Lecture, policy review, plenary discussion |